MOTORISTS are facing major delays after a landslip caused the closure of a busy road in the west of Scotland. Up to 100 tonnes of material fell on to the A83 Tarbet to Campbeltown road in Argyll and Bute, at the Rest and Be Thankful, just after 7am today. The road is now closed in both directions between the B828 and A815.

The landslip is understood to have occurred after more than 36mm of rain fell in the area in the last 24 hours, and 29.8mm the day before. Normally, the monthly average for rainfall in Argyllshire is around 239mm, meaning more than a quarter of the month’s expected rain fell in two days.

The A83 in Argyll has reopened during daylight hours following the landslide at the Rest and Be Thankful. The road was closed after about 100 tonnes of the hillside slipped, with some debris falling onto the carriageway, at 07:00 on Wednesday.

Transport Scotland said the road had been cleared but was being monitored. The road reopened to traffic at about 08:30, and is to close again at 16:00. This arrangement will continue until Tuesday when it will be reviewed again.

A £100,000 study looking at what can be done to reduce the impact of landslips on a key trunk road in Argyll has been given the go-ahead. Transport Minister Keith Brown said detailed investigations would be carried out on the notorious site on the A83 at the Rest and Be Thankful.

In the past four years the road has been closed three times by landslides. After the most recent, in December, about 120 tonnes of mud and boulders had to be cleared up. Each time motorists have faced a lengthy diversion via the A819 and A85/A82.

A further £1m is to be invested in helping to prevent more landslips on the A83 Rest and Be Thankful route in Argyll. Transport Minister Keith Brown said the money would be used to extend safety netting at the site, while a study continues into long-term solutions for the road. The route has been blocked by landslips in 2007, 2009 and last year. The investment forms part of a £72m package of new transport spending.

Mr Brown said: "The Scottish government is determined to address the impact severe weather has had in recent months on the A83 at the Rest and be Thankful - a lifeline route which serves communities throughout Argyll. That is why we are allocating a significant portion of the extra funding - £1m - to address the problems created by landslips at the Rest and Be Thankful, brought about by severe weather events."

He added: "We are also working closely with Forestry Commission Scotland to explore options for making emergency use of forest roads and using vegetation cover to help reduce the risk of landslips. We are acutely aware the effect road closures stemming from landslips impose on local communities and are determined to do everything we can to address those challenges. Today's extra funding will allow work to progress which will help minimise the effect on the local communities and road users in the area."

A new road that will provide an alternative route into Argyll has been opened for testing. The emergency relief road on the A83 at the Rest and Be Thankful is currently being "convoy-tested" to ensure it is ready for operation in the event of a landslip on the main route. The A83 is often subject to closures due to landslips caused by heavy rain, with drivers forced to take a 60-mile diversion round the stretch of the road between the A814 Arrochar and B828.

On Monday, transport minister Keith Brown said he was "delighted" that the £3.7m upgrade to the Old Military Road had been a success. Mr Brown said: "I'm delighted that, following a lot of hard work during some very challenging conditions, we are now in a position to use the emergency relief road. While some cosmetic works will continue in the coming weeks, the Old Military Road at the Rest is now operational, and we are running test vehicle convoys to ready the team on the ground should we face another unwanted road closure because of a landslip."